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[quote=Anonymous]Ah -- almost forgot your excellent question about how parents can help and support their kids.  Here are some thoughts:

Don't create stress around grades.  Every failure is an opportunity to learn.  Encourage them to reach out to their teachers for help.  Try role-playing how to talk to Ms. X about that C on the test.  Once they've spoken with Ms. X, ask them what she recommended they do.  If they're in elementary or middle school, send Ms. X and email to see if you've got it straight.  Do not accept the answer "This is just developmental."  English teachers give this response all too often; math teachers would never get away with that.

Encourage them to read anything and everything.  Ask them about what they're reading -- would they recommend it to a friend?  Would they read a sequel?  Talk to them about what you're reading -- even if you only have a few minutes each day to read, show them how important that time is to you.  If your child is not a reader, try to get them talking about TV shows or movies -- you want to develop their capacity for critical thinking and for expressing their thoughts.  Also, try graphic novels -- for many non-readers, this is a good way to get them into the habit of reading.

Offer to read their writing and discuss it with them, but as a reader responding to their work, not  as an editor.  You can say "I loved your introduction" or "this transition was a little confusing to me" or "I would have liked to know more about your thoughts on this character," but under no circumstances should you put pen to paper.  This is their work, not yours.

If you're writing anything -- even a thank-you note -- that's an opportunity to show your kids how much drafting and redrafting is involved in good writing.  When my own kids (now in college) were in middle and high school, I'd print out drafts and make a big show of marking them up and then recycling them.

Love them unconditionally and encourage them to follow their interests -- note that I'm not using the word "passion" here.  That's an overwhelming concept to kids (and adults) and can be paralyzing.

Best wishes for a good year, all!   [/quote]

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